Unlikely hero Cyrus Christie has warned that his first international goal will count for nothing if the Republic of Ireland do not beat Georgia on Monday.
The 22-year-old Derby full-back set Ireland on the way to a 4-0 Euro 2016 qualifying victory over Gibraltar in Faro with a 26th-minute strike in his first competitive game for his country.
Skipper Robbie Keane helped himself to a quickfire double at the start of the second half and substitute Shane Long added a fourth 10 minutes from time on a night when the Republic leapfrogged Group D rivals Scotland, who had earlier lost 1-0 in Georgia, into third place.
However, their hopes of securing qualification, even via the play-offs, will only remain alive if they follow-up their win in Portugal with another against the Georgians at the Aviva Stadium, and that was not lost on Christie.
He said: "(The goal) got the ball rolling for the lads to carry on and go on and win the game.
"They made it tough for us, Gibraltar. They settled well and they defended well, but we managed to break them down and get through and get the crucial win.
"It's a big win with Scotland dropping the points losing to Georgia, but we have got to follow it up now on Monday and beat Georgia."
Goals have been a rarity in Christie's career to date - he is yet to score for the Rams - and his first for Ireland will hold a special place in his memory.
He said: "It was just a one-two with Wes [Hoolahan]. I managed to cut inside and then cut inside another one, and then luckily it opened up for me and I managed to put it on the outside of my boot and into the bottom corner.
"I think I'd put that up as my best one. It's a great moment for me, to score for Ireland in front of a lot of fans and my family watching it on TV. It was a good goal for me, but it means nothing if we don't follow it up on Monday."
Christie only started against Gibraltar because Seamus Coleman was ruled out with a tight hamstring, although the Everton man is expected to be fit for Monday's game.
Source: PA
